Planning Board Chair Approved Despite Mayor, Councilwoman's Opposition

In a night where the Planning Board officially memorialized its Master Plan amendment allowing for an expansion to Valley Hospital, David Nicholson was reconfirmed as chairman—despite two Village Council members' opposition.

Nicholson, who presided over most of the three-and-a-half year hearing that eventually resulted in a plan to permit Valley to more than double its building mass, was approved by members in a 3-2 vote with four abstentions. Mayor Keith Killion and Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh voted against Nicholson.

"Dave seemed to become a lighting rod, and it was my idea to try and move forward," Killion said. The newly appointed mayor and Planning Board member called Nicholson's credentials "impeccable," but said a perception existed in the community that the chairman did not handle the Valley hearings correctly.

The Planning Board approved the Valley expansion June 21 in a loud and contentious hearing at George Washington Middle School. Logistical problems plagued the meeting as the small venue prevented about 200 people from gaining access. Crowds jeered outside and booed and chanted inside. Police backup was required from nearby towns, and one man was arrested. Additionally, people were prevented from parking in a nearby lot.

A former Ridgewood police officer, Killion said he thought the board needed to be more concerned with logistics. "I think for a big, controversial issue" you need to have "a facility where everyone can view it."

Walsh was elected to council in May on a campaign that openly opposed the expansion—she gained the most votes of four candidates. She reiterated her opposition to the project Tuesday, and called her vote against Nicholson "largely symbolic."

The councilwoman, who said she had never met Nicholson prior to Tuesday, said she thought the "status quo" shouldn't continue, as there was "a public outcry" against Valley.

The four abstentions to Nicholson were more procedural than anything as he himself did not vote nor did the three new members, Kevin Reilly, Costantino Suriano, and Richard Joel. Albert Pucciarelli, Charles Nalbantian and Nancy Bigos approved Nicholson.

The chairman would not commented specifically on the vote, and said, "I have volunteered for another three-year term."

Killion said he didn't think the vote would "cause tension. It was more of a feeling, and I expressed my opinion."

After the board turns over its documents to the Village Council, the governing body will decided on Valley's future. Killion said his vote against Nicholson did not reflect, whether for or against, his ultimate position on Valley. 

Pucciarelli was also approved again as vice chairman by a 5-0-4 vote, with the three new members and Pucciarelli abstaining.

The board also appointed members to its committees. Pucciarelli, Nalbantian and Nicholson again were named to the Site Plan Committee; Walsh volunteered for the Historic Preservation Committee; and Killion was approved to be on the Site Plan Exemption Committee with village staff.